Instead of relying on motion sickness pills, you can try the following methods to stay alert during long trips.

Motion sickness is a condition that occurs while traveling by boat, car, or airplane. Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and low blood pressure. In medical terms, it is called vestibular dysfunction caused by movement. To avoid this, here are some tips to help you travel long distances without getting motion sickness:

1. Ginger for Motion Sickness

According to traditional medicine, to prevent motion sickness, about 30 minutes before departure, take a piece of fresh ginger, about the size of your thumb, peel it, wash it, crush it, or chew it and drink it with a cup of warm water. During the journey, you can occasionally suck on a slice of ginger.

Ginger is known for its warming properties and its ability to aid digestion. It also helps with expelling cold and calming nausea. Traditional medicine often uses fresh ginger slices (3-5 slices) for treating conditions related to motion sickness and nausea, as it is effective without causing side effects.

2. Tangerine Peel for Motion Sickness

About an hour before boarding, take a tangerine, peel it, fold the peel in half, place it between your nostrils, and gently squeeze to release the essential oils. You can do this 10 times. You can also use this method while sitting on the vehicle at any time during the journey.

3. Pressing the Neiguan Acupoint

To prevent motion sickness, press the Neiguan acupoint, which is located on the inside of the wrist, about two finger widths above the wrist crease. This method is commonly applied in traditional Chinese medicine.

4. Eating and Smelling Bread

Eating bread helps stimulate the pancreas to release trypsin, an enzyme that helps calm the nervous system by interacting with amino acids in the bread. Additionally, you can smell the bread’s crust to avoid inhaling the unpleasant odors from the vehicle, which may trigger nausea.

5. Betel Leaves for Motion Sickness

You can use betel leaves by sticking them to your navel and covering them with a piece of cloth, then using tape or a scarf to secure the leaves in place.

Betel leaves help warm the navel area and can block out the smell of gasoline or car exhaust. Holding one or two leaves in your hand and occasionally smelling them can reduce fatigue and motion sickness.

6. Using a Dry Towel

Similar to using betel leaves, wrapping a dry towel around the back of your neck to the front of your chest can be very effective in preventing motion sickness for some people.